Safety and Tolerance Study of Three Probiotic Strains in Infants (PROBINFANT)

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Study to evaluate the safety and tolerance of three probiotic bacteria intake by healthy infants. Participants are divided at random and unknown to the researchers, in four groups, three of which receive one of three probiotic bacteria while the fourth group receives placebo product.

Subjects' parents or legal tutors will be contacted for voluntary participation and a written informed consent will be obtained.

The study visits will take place either in the hospital or primary health center.

During Visit 1, inclusion in- and exclusion criteria will be checked and information on demographic profile, subject characteristics, feeding option, relevant medical history, medication and nutritional supplements will be recorded. Weight and length and head circumference measurements of the infant will be made. The researcher will explain to the parents that during the first 2 weeks of participation in the study the infant must not intake any probiotic supplements (run-in ). Parents will be instructed to collect and send and/or store fecal and urine samples before starting the study. In addition they will be instructed to collect and send and/or store fecal and urine samples after the initial run-in period (2 weeks), after the product intake period (8 weeks) and after the final wash out period (2 weeks).

During Visit 2, subjects will be randomly allocated to receive either one of the test products or the placebo. Body weight and length will be measure. The researcher will review with the parents the study diary in detail, how to record data on gastrointestinal tolerance, stool frequency and stool characteristics, respiratory symptoms, diagnosed infections, sleeping and crying habits, changes in sleeping pattern, fever episodes, unscheduled visits resulting from suspected infection or a health problem and antibiotic prescription. The researcher will explain the procedure of administering the study product to the infant and anticipated phone calls. The parents will be instructed to start intake of the product as soon as possible after the collection of fecal and urine samples.

During product intake period (8 weeks) subject's parents will be called weekly by someone from the Study Team (Phone call 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). During the phone call relevant data related to possible Adverse Events (AEs) or Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) will be collected. Parents will be asked about infant's well-being (fever episodes, rashes, diarrhea, visits to the doctor, antibiotic prescription, etc.). Issues regarding diary completion, if any, will be discussed. During the Phone call 7 parents will be instructed to collect and send and/or store fecal and urine samples in one of the days prior to the third visit.

At the third visit (Visit 3, 8 weeks after product intake period), body weight and length will be measured and relevant data will be collected with respect to health and well-being aspect of the infant and AE or SAE (fever episodes, rashes, diarrhea, visits to the doctor, antibiotic prescription, etc.). Completed diaries and fecal and urine samples will be collected. Parents will be explained that for the last 2 weeks of participation in the study their infants could not intake any probiotic supplement (final wash out period). Parents will be instructed to collect and send and/or store fecal and urine samples in one of the days prior to the next visit (Visit 4).

During visit 4, after the final wash out period, body weight and length will be measured and relevant data will be collected with respect to health and well-being aspect of the infant and AEs or SAEs (fever episodes, rashes, diarrhea, visits to the doctor, antibiotic prescription, etc.). Completed diaries and samples will be collected.

Safety and tolerance will be evaluated according to infant growth (weight, height and head circumference) [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

growth will be evaluated considering weight, height and head circumference, at four different time points during study: 1st measure will be at screening visit (visit 1/week 0), 2nd measure will be after the run-in period and before starting intervention (visit 2/ week 2), 3rd measure will be after the eight weeks of intervention (visit 3/ week 10) and the 4th measure will be two weeks later (visit 4/week 12).

Adverse Event and/or Serious Adverse Event [ Time Frame: 10 weeks ]

Adverse Event and/or Serious Adverse Event will be recorded daily by parents and notified to investigator within 24hrs., in particular gastro-intestinal symptoms, fever and rashes.

Fecal characteristics [ Time Frame: 10 weeks ]

Fecal characteristics (stool frequency, stool consistency, stool amount and stool color) will be recorded daily by parents according to the "Amsterdam scale" and notified weekly to investigators.

Use of medication [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

Medication used (antibiotics, etc) will be recorded daily by parents and notified weekly to investigators.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

Urine concentration of D-lactic acid. [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

D-lactic acid will be measured in urine samples at 4 different time points (weeks 0, 2, 10 and 12).

Changes in sleep and crying patterns [ Time Frame: 10 weeks ]

Changes in sleep and crying patterns will be recorded daily by parents and notified weekly to investigators.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.